Anyone successfully growing figs in SW FL?

[fisherman]

Hello all. I am new to this forum and I recently made a serious try at growing figs in Naples, FL. So far, so good. Main challenge here is the high humidity and a very long rainy season. To maintain domestic tranquility, I am limited to four 24" containers on a screened patio. Growing LSU Purple, Brown Turkey, Green Ischia, and an unknown from last year-probably Celeste. Containers all have good drainage and I have to spray with organic copper soap weekly to keep rust under control. Fertilizing as I would for tomatoes: organic Tomato-tone plus lime plus miracle grow for tomatoes as needed. I am not thrilled with the taste of the figs from my unknown variety and I plan to graft Black Madeira and Brooklyn White Italian cuttings to it. If my grafting is successful, I will likely graft other varieties to my other figs, since I am limited to the four containers. Any suggestions on what else to do to be successful here in SW FL? Also, what other good tasting varieties do well here? Thanks in advance for the input.

[jmaler]

Welcome to the wonderful world of figs.

[Sarahkt]

Welcome to the forum! Glad to have you here.

I'm guessing you already know that LSU varieties would do well in your climate. I've found LSU Hollier to be very tasty, and heard great things about Scott's Black, LSU Purple, and LSU Gold too. LSU Purple seems to be one of the varieties that generally takes a few years before it produces worthwhile fruit. The first LSU Purple off my tree this year would be consistent with that report.

Don't be afraid to multi-graft if you're limited to four pots, particularly over the Brown Turkey. There are some that like that variety, but there are lots more to try! Black Madeira you are grafting already, but also consider top-reputation figs like Genovese Nero, Italian 258, Adriatic JH, Ronde de Bordeaux, tasty varieties from Greece, Portugal, Turkey, etc. The list goes on.

[Hershell]

Welcome to the forum. My brother in law is in Port Charlet and started putting his in ground this year with success. Oh! Be wear of Wills! He is in Florida andhe has 5 acres of Figs on a half acre lot. Some are so big that it only takes 6 to make a dozen. Any way, welcome. You found the rite place.

[Figfanatic57]

Welcome!!! Feel free to input and learn.

[Fygmalion]

Welcome! You will surely enjoy your time here and find out just how addictive this interest can become...

[m5allen]

I live in Tampa Bay. I usually do have a problem with most figs splitting during the rainy season depending on when they ripen vs. when we get a big downpour. The one variety that really seems to hold tight even in the rain is Malta Black. But Malta Black gets hammered by the rust - my tree usually completely defoliates in the summer due to rust, it is putting on a brand new flush of leaves right now. In my collection, I would rank Col De Dame Grise tops in terms of flavor and it does seem to have a tight eye as well, but this fig has always ripened after the rainy season for me, so I can't really tell you how it does in July/August.

IMO, the key for Florida is to find a fig that can deal with the rust and one that produces either early or later. You really don't want a bunch of figs ripening in late June, July- early Sept.

BTW, what is it with fisherman/outdoorsmen and growing figs? This is a common thread on this forum.

[Rafaelissimmo]

Please keep us up to date on your experiences, I will be moving to South Florida in a few years and am probably bringing some of my collection with me.